Does Bullying Exist in Sports?

Bullying has become a hot topic in the media recently, with reports coming from all levels of sports. Pro teams, college, and minor teams, coaches, and athletes have been scrutinized, and found guilty of bullying, but is it happening in Chatham-Kent?

“Sometimes the biggest bullies in minor sports are the other parents,” says one CK parent who asked to be unnamed in this article. “My son was new to hockey at about age 8 and other kids had been playing for a few years. Let’s just say he spent more time on his butt than on his blades sometimes. Once he accidentally tripped over a kid and got a penalty. One of the team moms yelled,”that number 77 should have stayed home today!” I turned to look at who had said it and she threatened to fight me. I was shocked. Fortunately another dad stepped in and told her that it was his first year and she backed off.”

Reports such as this are not uncommon, which is why organizations across Ontario have developed anti-bullying platforms and regulations. These programs however, do not always work as another parent account tells.

“My experience is one where administration have their head in the sand about bullying. Despite the OMHA’s very clear policies against bullying, the administration had known the behaviour was happening for a long time and nothing was done to address it,” tells another parent about their experience with a local hockey organization, which they informed on multiple occasions about repeated bullying incidents.

“As adults, parents, and administration should be consistent about a high standard of conduct in youth sports but if the administration can’t get behind that, then why should the players?” questioned the parent.

“This attitude is dangerous territory for the local hockey leagues as it risks the safety of everyone under their roofs and if they are not careful could have serious legal and financial ramifications.”

The problem remains then; what can parents and athletes do to stop bullying in sport? For most people, this will involve persistence, and hard work to make sure complaints are heard and dealt with. Unfortunately, implementing rules and regulations doesn’t mean bullying will stop, unless organizations are willing to stick with these programs.

“The issue affecting my son was dealt with, but only because I did my research and didn’t stop putting pressure on until it was dealt with,” explained the parent. “But I shouldn’t have had to go that far. It should have been dealt with as soon as the behaviour happened.”

If you have a story about bullying in sports in Chatham-Kent, we’d love to hear it. Please comment below or email ian@cksn.ca